Folding bipod assembly for guns



Feb. 17, 1.948. 'Y E F ADAMS 2,436,349

FOLDING BIPOD ASSEMBLY FOR GUNS Filed May 15,'1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l /5 sa (gf- 8@ 3l Il WEP-85S i, k s

Tag 5.

Feb. 17,1948. E, F ADAMS 2,436,349

FOLDING BIPOD ASSEMBLY FOR GUNS Filed May 15,` 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 85 Invenb 2';

Patented Feb. 17, 1948 UNITED STAT E S NT EdwinE. Adams, Boston,Mass., assignorito: Robert. .Ii Bottomly, Boston, Mass.

ApplcationlMay. 15, 1945;.SeraLNo. 593,792

(Cl. l12--9f1) 14. Claims.

This; inventionV relates; to; ordnance;v andifile armsiand;espeeiallyrto,automaticzand semirauto.- maticriflea lightmacloineigunszand the like port'- ableirapiderezweapons; yIt aims to provide for such guns.:animproyedamuzzlesupport.0r billed, adaotedrforr shifting instantlv.VI and.; with: a lll'nf` mum... of., manipulationibetween ya. folded: out-0f.- the-waypositiono-n the sun and agully set-up and. locked.V positioniert usef.

Inthesdrawines illustratinglbysway of .example one embodimenttoMhe invention:

Fie.; 1., shows ai. gun: vvfithi` the-muzzle.` Support or, bipod. positioned for use:

, Eig. il; isa. sida-elevation of.. the. muzzle and `adj aoenti; barrel portion 4on a.- larger; scale,v l showthe,llhherpo1fti on.ofthebipod, inset-up position as` in Eig,Afandwithmartsdn. vertical. cross:r seftion as on the line 8-v8.of1Fig.. `1;

. Fig.,9,isa.horizontal sectionbn theline 9.-9 Of'llis, 8;;

-Ifig 10,- is awerticallongitudinal section substantially-on the line.. I lle-l0, ofu Eig. 8; Y

l5lig..`l1aisg a sidek elevation corresponding to Figs. B .andilOLand l i Fig.v 12isa longitudinal section, ,on approximatelythe scale of Figs. 8 to ,.1 1, verticallythrough the. gunV muzzle and, associated., bipod mounting In Fig.` Lmuzzlesupporting means, representative.- of theL invention` isshown. installed on a portable rapid-,fire guny designated.,A generally at having abarrel .8 and. a. `gas-tube v 972 The. particular gun selected forA the. purposesvof illustration isi the .present Browning` automaticA rifle cal.

30,-: it being understood that the` Yinvention Yis applicable to. .other guns.. of the. generalf classv concerned, Whether. gas-operatedfor otherwise.

Gun .bipods ,or -otherrontsupports have heretofore :been: adjustable. asbetween a generally uprighti use.v positionv and.` an `in i'jended,` carrying position in whichthe legsare` more or less parallel tothe gunV barrel. Toadjust sufhsunports, including .that .presentlysuppled asstandard equipmentlior thehun. of the. .typev and; model @above mentioned; separate manipulation-of a number.

lof. parts is; required, involving loosenillfZ of,-

threaded .clamps .by unscrewing Wingnuts... or. the. like, then; manualY extending and. interengaging'A the parts, and finally. retiglftdzenirig` theclamps'.

In so doing, timeislost; when'. secondsmaybe invaluable. Projectingportions. of these supports, evenwhen knocked... down, interfere. with portability in vovergrown terrain. Y

Guns .of the type more particularly here. conv-- cerned, While in the category.. of. lightrwei'ghtf in the generalsense that theycanbecarriedlin. fully assembled use position by one man, are. generally. osuchv weight that they cannot feasiblybered from the shoulder or lotherlvvise with-v outauxiliary. support. Itis further` essential that such `support be instantly. available, as. in.,the.case` of` a. charge by the rieman. With` the existing equipment` a mai-or -diculty is that... in making such charge, the gunirnust .be carriedwith the bipoolV legs Aopen; the. manipulation otherwise required, in unfolding. andi setting up the existing bipod is too complicatedl anditil/nef-ccnsuxning` to beleftfor completion atthe endiof.' a charge, frequently made under re.v The rifleman therefore has no, alternatives yother than tjo makehis advance with thebipod'open, which is a cumbersome procedure, or to discard the support entirely andv soV leave the gun without adequate front support.

The present invention counteracts these disadvantages, through the` provision of a ioldable bipod carried compactly along the barrel and adapted for selfeopeni'ng to and automatic locking in spread use positiomjin such convenient' arl-diend fashion that having a gun so equipped` the riflem-an may execute a charge withV the-bipod lclosed and yetlose no valuable timeinopeniner the support on completionY of the charte.

The bipodV assembly'or unitias a; Whole, Figs:

lLto' 41 comprises apair of laterally-opposedrad'- Y instable legs. eachdesignated generally at' le: Sincethe legs nfay'be identicalsaveV for 4oppositeJ lateral'pivoting, description ofY oneappliesk also to the other, corresponding -partsi beingsimilarly numbered; Each leg hasa tubular rnainorup'- per member Il andy a longitudinally `ad'.]'us1'.`able lower member l2. As shownA 'the latter telescopes in and may be lockedtotheilppeln mem.;

ber! I, in any relativeposition between` thelimits oextension andretraction, as by quick-acti ing clutch-means to be described with reference toFig.V 8'. The lowepleg membersv lll-are providedY atv their outer ends with ball-headed -postsl 1 3' universallyswivelledA-in sockets Monbasesorfeet I5, one of which is seen separately in Fig.

, 7. The feet sockets are radially slotted as at I6,

Fig. '7, allowing the feet to pivot transversely of the legs in either direction and through a wide range, so as to stand at any convenient angle to the leg axis as the ground or supporting surface may dictate. noting Figs. 4 and 7, or to fold flatwise and generally parallel to the legs, as in Figs. 2, 3 and 6. Projecting centrally at the underface of each supporting foot I5 is a boss or button I'I annularly grooved as at I8 for locking engagement with the catch or holder element designated generally at 8U, Fig. 5, and also seen in Figs. l, 2 and 6. The bosses I 'I also assist in anchoring the bipod feet during use of the gun.

As noted, each leg II] is constructed and arranged for readily securing the lower member I2 in any desired position of longitudinal extension and retraction. One simplied and efflcient means for the purpose, in the nature of an expansible clutch, is illustrated in Fig. 8. Theinner end of the lower leg member I2, shown as tubular, receives a plug 2G from which projects a stud 2| lhaving a conical taper toward the plug. The larger end of the stud 2l has threaded engagement as at 22 in a longitudinally split clutch element comprising divided collar segments 23 slidably received in and adapted to grip the upper leg member II. Rotative bearing and guiding means may be provided between the clutch segments 23 and the stud 2I, such as the ball bearings 24 held in annular grooves in the opposed surfaces of said parts.

Thus it will be seen that merely by turning the lower leg member I2 about its axis and relative to the upper member Il, the tapered stud 2l will be advanced or retracted in the clutch element 23, thereby expanding it radially into gripping engagement with the wall of the leg member II, or releasing it and freeing the leg members for relative longitudinal adjustment, depending on the'direction of turning. Desirably the thread formation at 22 is such that the leg members may be interlocked or released within a one-half turn or thereabouts, for quick operation. To assist in this connection the projecting portions of the lower leg members I2 desirably are roughened, knurled or otherwise formed as at |20., Fig. 4, for ease in gripping and manually turning them to and from locked relation. Maximum extension of the legs is limited by suitable stop means. As shown in Fig. 8 the plugs 2U, which are pinned, welded, brazed or otherwise fixed at the inner end of the leg members I2, have shoulders 25 itting in the upper leg members II and circumferentially recessed to receive expansible spring rings 26. Each leg member II has an internal annular recess 21 near its lower end adapted to receive the corresponding ring 25, in the full extended relation of the leg members, Fig. 8. The lower-end wall 28 of the recess 21 denes a limiting stop against which the spring ring 26 abuts, while engagement of the ring beneath the shoulder 25 prevents ypassage of the latter and so halts unintentional withdrawal of the vcorresponding lower leg part I2. The other end portion of the recess 2l of each bipod leg has a tapered cam surface as at 29, acting to compress the stop ring 26 and facilitating relative -telescoping of the leg members II and I2 on release of the clutch device.

lThedescribed bipod legs I0 have pivotal and swivelling support on and with respect to the muzzle end of the gun barrel 8, for movement between the open position of Figs. 4 and 8 to 11 4 and the folded carry position of Figs. 2, 3 and 6. Desirably the manner of attachment, as herein shown, provides for lateral traverse of the gun on the barrel 8 or the muzzle extension or flashshield and bipod adapter 8a thereof, herein forwardly of the front sight 8b, where it may be demountably held between radial ange members, washers or the like on the barrel 8 and on the muzzle extension 8a respectively.

In the particular example selected for illustration the bipod mounting or saddle 30 as a Whole is constructed and arranged for operative association With existing standard parts, such as those for the Browning automatic rie. Noting particularly Fig. 12, the muzzle proper has a reduce'd and threaded terminal portion 8c onto which the flash-shield and bipod adapter 8a is threaded. A spring washer 8d is installed between the adapter and the barrel proper. The adapter has an integral radial flange 8e and a flattened or hex formation 8f for application of a tool. The radial flange members 8d and 8e are longitudinally spaced to provide stops receiving the bipod attaching means between them. In the device of the invention the attaching collar 3| accordingly is longitudinally proportioned for reception between such flange members 8d and 8e and has a bore of a diameter for seating on the tubular rear portion of the adapter 8a. between said flanges. Desirably the t is such that in the installed position, with the adapter turned fully home against the spring flange-washer 8d the gun may be rotated about the barrel axis in and relative to the collar 3|, for angularly adjusting the butt of the rifle to the riemans shoulder. The parts have a relatively tight t and the spring flange 8d takes up any possible longitudinal play, so that normally the gun and collar 3| remain in the relative angular position with respect to the barrel axis to which they may have been adjusted. l

The body of the saddle A30, of generally rectangular form and herein depending integrally from the collar 3|, includes laterally spaced side Walls 32', 33 and front and rear cross-Walls 34, 35, Figs. 10 and 11. The side walls 32, 33 respectively terminate in opposed lateral flanges 36, 31 of symmetrical arcuate contour as viewed in plan, Fig. 9, to serve as automatic spreader cams and guides in opening movement of the bipod legs. These arcuate flanges, disposed substantially concentrically of the vertical axis for traversing of the gun, assist in such movement and also together define a supporting rest for the barrel when the bipod is folded, as in Fig. 2.

The side walls 32, 33 of the saddle 3l) have opposed circular, openings 32', 33' conjointly forming a partly spherical bearing socket centered with respect tothe saddle body and movably supporting a universal swivel element 40. The latter comprises an intermediate tubular portion or sleeve 4I and opposed partly spherical bearing flanges 42, 43 conformant to the ball-like socket 32', 33 of the saddle body. The sleeve 4I carries, preferably non-rotatably, a. short cross shaft 45 projecting at the opposite sides of ceived in grooves in the f pins;

5 the saddle 311 tol `provide `trunnion -likesupporting studsy 4611 H41? for thel respective` bipod'- legs' I0. Theestuds- 46; ,41 `have diametral aperturesreceiving pivot pins- 48; 49-respectively, onl which kthe bipodlegsy I are directly pivoted.

VEachbipod legl lhas-at its upper endaclosed yokeeflike-V coupling including a lower plug por! `tion` fitted intothe adjacent end ofthe corresponding upper leg memberflll and pinned, welded, brazed or otherwise secured to itV as at 52. The-=legcouplings` furtherfeach include'a coupler-ringor-yoke 53- integral with`V the plug portion 5|? and surroundingthe corresponding stud 46, 41, said-coupler rings 53-each-having opposed bearing/apertures for passage ofthe corresponding pivot pin 4&-or49; see particularly Fig; 11.

'I'hellegjpivot pins 48; 49'- desirably areV remov ably yheld irr place asfbyresilientsplitrings 5'4 ref- Diametrally opposedlporticns oieach` coupler ring or yoke 53 arel oppositely flared,- at' the inner and4 thev outer sides of the coupler,as at55, 5S-andbe`velled`in wardly as` at 5T for angular movement of the -legs lil about4 the-axes ofthepins 48,' 49; to and froma` laterally spread position asin Figs. 4` and 8: These-flared portions '55; 5S ofthe couplers and the bevelled inner vcorner portions 51 preferably are proportioned and arranged to engage the studs'46, 41'- and'the sides of the saddle 3B, respectively, as limiting and positioning means in the desired maximum open relation o`f the legs, substantially` as in Fig; 8, the base flanges 35i, S'Iiof the-saddle cooperating in that connection.

From; thel foregoing description with particularreference to Figs. 8 toll, and assuming `now that the bipod isA in the open or set-up firing position as there shown, it will be apparent that the mounting and universal pivotal connections provide for ready folding of the legs to the closed or carryposition of Figs.,2, 3 and 6. Inthus folding, the legs, swing inwardly toward each other, about the, axesof the pivot pins 48, 4), and also rearwardly and inwardly toward the gunjbarrel, into approximate parallelism with the latter, noting particularly Fig. 2. In this latter movement the two legs-swing in unison aboutthe axis. ofthe cross. shaft l5V and the coincidentcrossaxis .ofthe spherical bearing 4G, the

latter turning'inand relative to its supporting socket 32.'.33 onthersaddle. 39. In. the set-up position. of` the` bipod, said spherical bearing means affords `capacity for sweeping fire, enabling the gunto befswungazimuthally on the` bipod.

The saddle or mounting 3d ishereinfurther provided withmeansfor automatically locking the bipod inthe open. position ,and desirably also `with-meansv urgingthe bipodtoward and assuring its prompt assumptonof'; said open or. spread position; immediatelyonrelease fromthe folded carrypositionofFigs. 2, Brandv 6.

Referring again tov Fig. 8., also Fig. l0, the swivelbearing element'. 45) andthe cross shaft 4'5 thereinfareformedwith'a radial recess housing a plungerfsleeve: 6!) slidably supporting a locking plungerll. The latter has a central longitudinal bore carrying aV coil'springfiZv under compression betweentheouterend wall163 of the plunger 6i and :the-bottomfwall 64' of y the housing recess.

The automatic locking plungerV Si is held in its sleeve G' by a retainer 65, see particularly Fig. 10, inthe form `of'fa` U-shaped' strip, the legs 6B; 6-11 of which-are received between the front andi rear cross-walls- 34, 35- of`V the saddleand 6' there secured,` preferablyv demountably, as by screws-or the like 68. The closed'. end of the retainer 65 has its ninner `surface formed upon an arc concentric with the axislof the crossv shaft t5; and the outer'endoftle locking plunger 6i is rounded to ride easily along said surface, during movement of the bipod legs between closed and open positions.

The retainer 65 is aperturedas at lat its lower portion, centrally between the saddle cross-walls34; 35, to receive the Vouterend-of the plunger El when the latter comes opposite and is projected intothe apertureby the spring 62., as shown in Figs. 8` and 10. Outwardmovement of the plunger 6I is limited asby an annular sh-oulder Gla thereon adapted to abut the retainer d5 peripherally of vthe'locking aperture 69. It will be understood'that the plungervhas an overall length' calculated with reference to the depth of the housingrecess such that the plunger maybe thrust inwardly from the automatic'locking position of Figs. 8 andy l0 sufliciently'to clear it from the holding recess 69 in the retainer 65", whereby the bipod legs arefreed for foldingin the manner already described.

Tov assist in* the automaticy opening y action of the bipodnoting particularly Fig, 191` have herein provided opening meansvv as previously mentioned.; Ashere illustrated such means comprises anlelongated coillspring Ihoused4 in the saddle 3Q; within the ULShapedretainer 65. One end of the spring 1Q', that away from the gun muzzle and seen at theright in Fig. lo, is anchored to the saddle: as by insertingit through apertures in the retainer leg''! and the rear cross wallv pandhooking. or. otherwise securing it as atl. From its anchored'end't-he spring extends forwardly over and reversely down around the spherical'bearing sleeve 4| and has itsother end hooked about the projecting portion of the plunger sleeve til, aS. at 72, Fig. l0. Said plunger sleeve thus serves as a crank arm aifording aleverage f or rotating the leg-carrying cross shaft 45 `about itsaxis'.,

Referring still particularly to Fig. 10, it will begunderstoodthatinthe closing. movement of thebipod legs, .the trunnion-like cross shaft together with the spherical bearing ld turns in the-counterclockwise; direction so` that the re.- leased plunger'i, rides upwardly along the re tainerf 6.5; inthe direction ofY the. dotted,l arrow. Thev springal accordingly is further extended and tensioned. Hence onsubsequent release; of the-fbipod legsicontraction ofthespring "it acts tomove the rotative parts reversely, clockwise in Figi.; 10, in the down. direction. of the-dotted arrow- This opening action ist'assisted-by gravity and the'weight of the legs when thegun is in a general horizontal Lposition, andl also-by. the nnormal `act; of thrusting the gun, forwardly -and down onto zthe=groundj in firing position. Consequently noztimeifis lost in adjusting the'bipod, as for example after completing al charge with the bipod in the folded carryL position.

Inthe full extended position of thebipod the locking plunger 6i comes opposite'the aperture 5g; Ain the retainer 65, whereit automatically snaps into the locked position of Figs. 8\ and l0.

t is further particularlyV emphasized that in this opening action the bipod legs I0'are autcmatif cally spread laterally to correct open position by coaction with the arcuate cam-likeedge portions of the basal anges.- 31 gxfthe mounting `sad d1'ef30. Y

There remains to be described the cooperative quick-releasing means for securing the bipod in the folded or carry position of Figs. 2, 3 and 6. Referring to said figures, also Fig. 5, I provide for this purpose a movable catch device 88, herein slidably mounted on and between the gun barrel 8 and the gas-tube 9.

As best seen in Figs. 5 and 6, this catch unit 88 comprises a pair of opposed reversely curved elongated spring plates 8|, 82 preferably having rounded ends substantially as shown. The opposite upper and lower portions of the twospring plates are formed to fit slidably against and conform to the walls of the gun barrel and gastube respectively. The two plates are fastened to each other, and held in place onthe gun, as by rivet-headed cross pins, bolts or the like 83, 86 adjacent the respective ends of the plates and extending across in the space between the barrel 8 -and the gas-tube 8. At one or both sides of the gun one of the plate-connecting pins such as 84 has a lateral extension carrying a wood, fibre or other heat-insulating collar as atl 85, Fig. 5, providing a convenient finger piece for manipulating the catch 6i); see also Figs. 1 to 3.

Each spring plate 8|, 82 has an elongated longitudinal slot 86, with enlargements at one and preferably both ends, as at 81, 88. The opposed marginal portions of the slots 86 are inturned and flared as at 89, Fig. 6, for mutual holding engagement with the buttons Il of the corresponding bipod feet l5. As best seen in Fig. 6 the plates 8|, 82, of spring material thus in effect each provide an elongated socket-like formation, in

the nature of the female element of a snap fastener. On folding of the bipod the feet buttons l1 are easily snapped into holding relation with the corresponding plates 8|, 82, at any location along the slots 88 in which they may happen to come. fastener 86 as a whole, along the gun barrel, there is a substantial range of adjusted leg-length of the bipod at which the feet may be snapped into the catch. Or if the leg length has been substantially altered after the last previous closed fastening of the bipod, the catch as a whole may quickly be slid on the barrel in one or the other direction to bring the fastener slots 86 opposite the feet buttons I1. Accordingly it is generally unnecessary to telescope the bipod legs in order to fasten them closed along the gun barrel. Whenever desired, l however, lengthening or shortening of the legsmay be quickly accomplished as previously described in connection with Fig. 8. ing the bipod in the carry position, as above described, the locking plunger 6|, the spring 62 of which may be relatively light, is readily depressible byy the operators finger suiciently to release it from the retainer 65.

' To release the bipod for automatic opening the catch 80 is slid in either direction at the preference of the riiieman, bringing the feet buttons l1 opposite either the front or the rear endapertures 8l or 88. The length of the buttons IT of the bipod feet desirably is calculated with relation to location of the snap-fastener slots 86 transversely of the gun so that in the closed and fastened position, noting particularly Fig. 6, the bipod feet and legs are held in toward or against the plates under some tension. Hence to open the bipod all thatl is required is a quick short movement of the catch, aligning one of the aperture pairs 8'! and 88 with the feet buttons I1. Thereon the tension under which the legs have been Thus for any given position of the catch of In knocking down or folding and fastenheld together causes them automatically to spring oppositely outward sufficiently to withdraw the buttons from the catch. The bipod is then immediately subject to the action of gravity, herein aided by the opening spring l0, so that the legs automatically assume the desired open and locked position as previously explained. The rapidity with which the gun may be brought into action following a shift in location will readily be apparent.

While the invention has been illustrated in connection with a Browning automatic rifle, a gas-operated gun equipped with a tube such as 9, and with respect to ywhich the closing catch is particularly adapted, it will be understood that instances where a gas-tube is not available for mounting the bipod catch, similar or other holding means may be otherwise associated with the barrel or any conveniently available xed part whereby to afford a compact non-projectant closed condition for the bipod substantially 'as herein disclosed.

Among numerous other advantages inherent in the bipod muzzle-support of the invention is that of ease in manufacture. For example, the entire mounting unit 30 including the rectangular body 33, attaching collar 3l and the basal portions 36, 3'!V may be died, stamped or otherwise formed from sheetA or pressed steel, with avoidance of numerous machining operations required for gun lsupports as heretofore employed. The same also applies generally to the other parts, all of which are of simple construction and adapted for rapid manufacture and assembly in large quantities.

My invention is not limited to the particular embodiment thereof illustrated and described herein, and I set forth its scope in my following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a gun of the class including automatic, semi-automatic and machine guns, a folding bipod mount comprising a saddle having a collar received on the gun barrel adjacent the muzzle and a dependent mounting body, a transverse bearing member universally pivoted in said body, barrel-supporting legs respectively pivoted to oppositely projecting portions of the bearing member for opening and closing movement relatively to each other and transversely of the barrel, said bearing member adapting the legs for swinging in unison longitudinally of the barrel between general parallelism therewith and approximate perpendicularity thereto and providing also for angular traverse of the barrel and saddle on and relative to the legs, spring-actuated manually releasable means automatically to lock the legs in said perpendicular position for firing, and a fastener device on the gun for holding the legs in said generally parallel position for carrying.

2. In combination with an automatic rifle having a muzzle-fitted bipod adapter, a folding bipod mounted on the adapter and comprising a supporting saddle, a bearing member having a major longitudinal axis, said bearing member movably carried by the saddle for pivoting relative thereto in a plurality of different angularly related planes and having barrel-supporting legs pivoted thereto on parallel axes perpendicular to said major axis of the bearing member, whereby the legs are movable between an angularly spread and generally upright firing position and a relatively compacted carry position along the gun barrel, springactuated manually releasable means automatically to lock the legs in ring position, and a fasteneridevicez-onthe gun for-:holding thelegs in carry position subject to instant-release and opening.

3i `A foldingwbi-podassembly `for fguns of the class described, comprising a Amounting Lsaddle including a barrel collar and an offset `housing body,acrossshaft fliaving an intermediate universal bearing and oppositely projecting ends, a socket for 'saidbearinginfthe 'housing body, a pair of legs having yoke-like end 1couplings transversely pivoted at the respective `ends of the shaft, a spring-.pressed locking element and a cooperativereceiving'element,'one on the shaft. and fthe' other on the housing and interenga'geable tolock the-.shaft andlegsffatla given angle relative to "the 4axis `of the Ibarr'el "collar, 'releasable fastener means adapted for mounting on the -gun V'and' cooperable 'fasten'erlmember's on' the respective`legs,for securing the 1latter in'fagenerally Aparallel folded position.

4. Alfldingbipodmount fo'rgguns ofthe class described, "compri-sing, in combination, a saddle having a, supporting `barrel fitting, a cross `'shaft universally 'pivoted irl-'the -saddle a supporting leg pivoted at -each-end `of Vthe shaft onparallel axes transverse thereof, Yand spring-actuated manually releasablemeansfor interengaging the cross shaft and the saddle -to .lock them in a given angular relation. l

5. A "ff'o'lding mount "for a hand-portable gun, comprising anattachingbollan "a' mounting body on the collar, a pair of legs, a transverse element presenting opposed axially aligned studs. means connecting the upper ends of the respective legs to the studs for pivoting toward and from each other at right angles to the stud axis, and universal bearing connections between the mounting body and the transverse element adapting the latter for turning in the body about the stud axis and also in a plane perpendicular thereto for gun traversing purposes.

6. In a folding mount for guns of the class described, a supporting body, a plurality of legs each having'one end pivoted to the body for movement between open and folded positions, each leg having a plate-like positioning foot universally swivelled at the outer end of the leg and each such foot having at the outer face thereof a projecting conjoint anchor and fastener stud for ground anchoring the foot in the open leg position and for releasable fastening of its leg in the folded position.

7. A bipod mount for guns of the class described, comprising in combination, a support` ing body having a tubular collar adapted for coaxial attachment to a gun barrel to present the body in pendent relation thereto, a transf verse bearing element having coaxial opposed trunnion-like studs. said element journalled in the body for turning about the stud axis, a sup-` porting leg pivotally connected to each stud on parallel axes perpendicular to the stud axis, said legs pivotally movable in unison about the stud axis between an open supporting positionsubstantially at right angles thereto and a folded position approximately paralleling the axis of the attaching collar, and spring means in the supporting body loaded by said movement of the legs to folded position and tending to turn the transverse bearing element so as to move the legs to supporting position.

8. A bipod mount for guns of the class described, comprising in combination, a supporting body having a tubular collar adapted for l0 coaxial .attachment to a Agun barrel Vto rpresent the body in pendent `relation thereto, a Vtransverse bearing element having coaxial opposed trunnion-likestuds, said element journalledin the body Yfor-turning'about the -stud axis, a supportingflegpivotally connected to each stud on parallel -axesperpendicular to the l:stud axis, said legs pivotally movable irl-unison `about-the stud axis between anopen supporting position isubstantially-at right angles thereto and a folded position approximately fparalleling the axis of the attaching collar, and lateral -means on the supporting body cooperable with the respective legs vfor relatively spreading Athem about their pivot connectionsto Ythe studs on movement of v the legs into supporting position.

9. A Ybipod mount for guns of the-class described, comprising Vin combinatioma supporting body having a `tubular collar adapted for coaxial attachment toa-gun barrel to present-the body in pendent relation thereto, a transverse bearing element having `coaxial opposed trunnion-like studs, said Velement journalled in the body for turning-about the stud axis, a supporting leg pivotally-connected to eachstud on parallel axes :perpendicular to the stud axis, said legs -pivotally movablefin unison about the stud axis between an open Vsupporting ,position substantially at right angles thereto anda folded position :approximately paralleling the axis of the attachingvcollar, lateral means'on the supporting body cooperable with the respective legs for relatively spreading them about their pivot connections to the studs on movement of the legs into supporting position, and spring means carried by the supporting body urging the legs toward open and spread position.

10. A bipod mount for guns of the class described, comprising in combination, a supporting body having a tubular collar adapted for coaxial attachment to a gun barrel to present the body in pendent relation thereto, a transverse bearing element having coaxial opposed trunnion-like studs, said element journalled in the body for turning about the stud axis, a' supporting leg pivotally connected to each stud on parallel axes perpendicular to the stud axis, said legs pivotally movable in unison about the stud axis between an open supporting position substantially at right angles thereto and a folded position approximately paralleling the axis of the attaching collar, and automatically engageable manually releasable means for locking the legs in open supporting position.

1l. A bipod mount for guns of the class described, comprising in combination, a supporting body having a tubular collar adapted for coaxial attachment to a gun barrel to present the body in pendent relation thereto, a transverse bearing element having coaxial opposed trunnionlike studs, said element journalled in the body for turning about the stud axis, a supporting leg pivotally connected to each stud on parallel axes perpendicular to the stud axis, said legs pivotally movable in unison about the stud axis between an open supporting position substantially at right angles thereto and a folded position approximately paralleling the axis of the attaching collar, and automatically engageable manually releasable means for locking the legs in open supporting position, said means comprising a. springpressed plunger radially housed in the transverse bearing element, and a plunger retainer having a guide surface therefor concentric with the bearing element and a locking formation to receive 'line lrearwardly of the barrel fitting, said means 'releasably engaging the respective feet thereby to hold the legs when in folded position.

-13. In a bipod assembly for a gun according to claim 12, the construction wherein the catch means comprises male and female snap fastener elements, one fashioned to be movably supported on the gun barrel and the other on the feet of thelegs.

'14. In agas-operated automatic rifle having a Abarrel and a gas tube paralleling and radially spaced fro-m the barrel, a muzzle-supporting bipo'd assembly including a barrel fitting having a mount housing, a pair of supporting legs universally pivotally connected to the housing so as to have an open supporting position and a closed folded position along the barrel, a plural catch element conjointly carried by and between the barrel and the gas tube for manual sliding ad- 12 justinent along them, said catch element having elongated Asnap fastener "sockets adjacent the folded positions of the respective legs, and the latter having fastener studs for holding engagement in the corresponding socket of the catch element.

EDWIN F. ADAMS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le 4of this patent:

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